New Zealand is a very exotic and therefore sometimes a very costly place to travel to. The main reason why it’s so pricey is that it is fairly remote from most of the world, therefore, the most expensive part of the trip will be an airplane ticket. Now, since there is not a lot you can do about an airplane ticket price, there is a way to cut down on the expenses somewhere else. A great way to do that is to find a cheap, affordable place to stay. There are several different ways to do so and we’re going to talk about them in this article so you can focus more on more on the fun part of the trip to New Zealand. Whether you are a party of one, two, or a family, we’ll try to find adequate solutions for each. So, without further ado, here’s how you can find cheap accommodation in New Zealand.
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1. Backpacker Hostel
Source: blacksheepbackpackers.co.nz
This option is one of the cheapest out there and it’s great for a single person looking to meet some new people along the way and is just looking for a bed to sleep in. It closely resembles a student dorm, so to speak. If you decide to book a bed for the night, you’ll share a room with several different people. Also, a kitchen, showers, lounge area and so on are communal as well. If you don’t mind that, this is a solid option for you. However, there are also separate rooms available for booking, but that is also available in other places and it isn’t really matching the whole backpacking through country vibe these hostels provide.
2. Motels and Budget Hotels
If you’re not in a mood for a community-like experience that hostels provide and are looking for private accommodation, you should consider this as an option. Like we’ve mentioned previously, you could find these types of rooms even in hostels, but chances are, these are going to be a higher quality option for essentially the same price. However, one thing to keep in mind when opting out for this kind of accommodation is that it usually comes without a kitchen or a meal plan. It’s not always the case, but if that is something that is of value to you, you should check it out first.
3. Campervan
Source: glampinghub.com
This is easily one of the most fun, convenient and inexpensive options out there. This is a great option for those who are not planning on staying in one place for more than a few days. It provides you with shelter, toilet, shower, kitchen and all of the accompanying things a house on wheels does. Several companies rent or sell these things and you can certainly find an affordable option. You may look for one at BestRated.com.nz. One thing to keep in mind is how much is it going to cost to maintain this vehicle and how much a campsite parking is going to be because you can’t park a camper freely anywhere you want.
4. Campsites
As long as we’re on the subject, you could always camp out in the open and enjoy the nature. Whether you’re in a campervan or you’re travelling on foot and staying in a tent, campsites will provide you with an affordable place to safely camp. All of them will provide you with a toilet and clean water, while some even have showers and cooking facilities. Another great way to save money, have an awesome adventure and meet some people along the way.
5. Holiday Parks
Source: wdlh.co.uk
Holiday parks are essentially an improved version of a campsite. They are great for those who want to have an outdoor kind of adventure but are not necessarily comfortable sleeping in a van or a tent. They are a good place to recharge your camper while spending a night in a cabin or a room. They are more expensive than the campsites but do offer a lot more in exchange.
6. Couchsurfing
This is a rather unusual form of accommodation in the rest of the world, but a fairly common one in New Zealand. Essentially, some people will post an ad offering a place to stay for a traveller, completely free. It may seem pretty weird for some, but usually, those are people who have travelled a lot themselves and are just trying to help a fellow traveller. This is usually just a single night solution, therefore, if you’re looking for something more permanent, this isn’t the option for you.
7. Airbnb
Source: daljine.rs
Airbnb is slightly different from everything we’ve mentioned before. It’s an app, or a website, where people list their property which they wish to rent for a certain period. It’s convenient because you can easily filter your search to the desired location, type of property, price range, and so on and pick out an adequate option for yourself. You could find essentially anything on Airbnb, from budget to luxurious options. It’s a perfectly safe and reliable way to find a suitable place to stay.
8. WWOOFing
Since New Zealand is a very agriculture-oriented country, a lot of people come annually for work. If that’s the case with you, you can try working for a place to stay. How this works is, you do several hours of work daily and in exchange, you get food and accommodation. It could be a great way to meet some new people, develop long-lasting relationships and get in some exercise along the way.
9. Housesitting
Source: nunomad.com
This is one of the best options you could wish for if you’re looking for a place to stay for an extended period. By that, we mean between 7 and 30 days, not like a year or so. Like we’ve said, agriculture is a very important part of the New Zealand economy, so, when the residents want to go on a holiday, it’s important for someone to stay and take care of their house or a farm and that’s where you come in. It’s a great way for you to spend some time in New Zealand without spending money on a bed. However, it’s not easy to come by these opportunities because you do have to be responsible and maintain your part of the deal, but it is not impossible. There are many websites where you can check out and apply for a housesitting ‘job’ if that is something you might be interested in.
Those were some of the best ways to save money and travel across New Zealand and if one of them seems like a great fit for you, that’s brilliant. Safe travels!
